Tape dispenser



y 1968 A. P. KRUEGER 3,385,150 7 TAPE DISPENSER Filed March 24, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVEN TOR. flz F ipfimufaae A. P. KRUEGER TAPE DISPENSERMay 28, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1966 Mum R O N EUv mUnited States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A random length electrictape dispenser having a control arm movable from a rest position to andpast a tape feeding position which arm has a cam for controlling theposition of a drive roll to move the same out of the tape feedingposition in the rest position or when advanced past the operativeposition toward a severing position.

This invention relates to a tape dispensing machine and in one aspect toa random length tape dispenser having control means affording rapid orgradual advance of the tape and an operator controlled severing means.

There have previously existed many tape dispensing machines fordispensing random lengths of tape and such machines have been bothmanually operated and power or electrically operated. A manual machineof the type referred to is disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,350,281. Thismachine utilized a manually operated lever to drive the tape, and hasthe advantage, upon proper operation of the lever, of producin gradualfeeding or inching of the tape until the desired length was dispensed,then upon release of the handle the tape was severed. This type ofmachine however has a fatigue factor which in this day and time renderssuch devices of less commercial value. The power operated dispensers fordispensing random lengths of tape characteristically include a drivemotor connected in circuit relation with a switch and solenoid. Thesolenoid serves to move opposed feed rollers into tape driving relationand also serves to raise the severing blade to an out-of-the-wayposition during the advancement of the tape. Thus, as long as the switchwas closed by the operator, tape would be advanced, and when the switchwas released, tape advancement would stop and the dispensed tape wouldbe severed immediately and automatically. These machines did not affordany means for inching the tape to allow the gradual or progressiveaddition of small increments of tape before severing of the dispensedstrip, such as was possible with the manually operated machines.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a poweroperated dispensing mechanism for dispensing random lengths of tape andaffording inching of the tape such that the operator has extensivecontrol of the length of tape dispensed.

The present invention provides not only a more exacting random lengthtape dispensing device, but also a less expensive unit by theelimination of certain parts. Not oniy is the machine of the instantapplication less expensive initially due to the elimination of theseparts but the elimination of these parts, which tend to wear or burnout, i.e., the solenoid, lessen the maintenance required during the lifeof the dispenser.

The tape dispenser of this invention utilizes an operator control armfor initiating the drive, and cam means on said arm affords control ofthe movementof the driven roller toward driving engagement with theidler roller affording control of the tape advance by controlledmovement of the arm to advance the tape, stop the advance and by propermanipulation inch the tape from the dispenser in small increments beforethe dispensed length Patented May 28, 1968 is severed. The mechanismincludes means affording resistance to the movement of the control armat the commencement of the tape severing movement, such that theoperator can sense the position of the control arm, and if a greaterlength is desired, the control arm may be raised to advance more tapebefore the control arm is moved past the resistance to operate thesevering means. Further, the cam means on the control arm, when the sameis moved to the point of resistance, separates the feed rolls beforeoperation of the severing means is initiated.

The above and further objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent upon reading the following description whichrefers to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of the dispenser of the present invention withcertain portions removed for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 22 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a diagram of the power train of the dispenser as viewedalong the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURES 4 and 5 are schematic views showing the control mechanism of thedispenser in the various positions during operation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like parts have the samereference numeral throughout, the tape dispensing device made inaccordance with the present invention comprises a frame, means forsupporting a roll of tape, means defining a path for advancement of thetape, tape feeding means, tape severing means, tape moistening means andcontrol means for said feeding and severing means.

The frame 6 comprises a pair of transversely spaced upstanding sidewalls 13 and 14 between which extend base members 15 and 16. Secured tothe frame 6 and supported thereby is the means for supporting the rollof tape 17 which includes a pivoted tray 18 (only part of which isshown) and two adjustable side plates 19 and 21, adapted to engage thesides of the roll of tape and support the rear portion of the tray 18.Transversely extending and vertically positioned plates 22 and 23 definea guide path for the tape between the tape feeding means and thesevering means and serves to guide the same to the moistening device.

The moistening device comprises a reservoir 26, in which is disposed abrush 27, and a pressure plate 28 which retains the tape in engagementwith the brush.

The feeding means serves to advance the tape through the machine fromthe supply roll past the moistening device and comprises a pair of feedrolls 31 and 32 positioned adjacent the path of the tape. The roll 31 isrotatably mounted on a shaft 33 affixed to the frame side walls 13 and14. The roll 32 is fixed to a shaft 34 and is driven thereby. The shaft34 is supported at one end in a self-aligning bearing 35 in the sidewall 13 and extends through a slotted opening 36 (see FIG. 3) in theside wall 14 and has a spur gear 33 secured to the extended end thereof.A link 39, pivoted on a pin 40, journals the extended end of the shaft34. The teeth on the spur gear 38 mesh with those of an idle wheel 41rotatably mounted on a stubshaft 42. The spur gear 38 is positionedadjacent the second quadrant (upper left) of wheel 41 or at about a tenoclock position relative to said wheel center. A drive gear 43 issupported on the end of a drive shaft 44, extending through side wall14: and driven from an electric motor 46 equipped with a suitable gearhousing 47, drives the wheel 41 and gear 38. Energization of the motor46 drives the gear 43 in a clockwise direction, driving the wheel 41 ina counterclockwise direction, thus placing a clockwise rotation to thespur gear 38 and the driven roll 32. The torsional driving force of thewheel 41 and resistance of the spur gear 38 and shaft 34 to rotationurges the spur gear 38 and shaft 34 downwardly to bring the roll 32 intofrictional engagement with the upper surface of the tape 17, forcing thetape against the idler roll 31 such that the tape will be grippedstrongly in the roll bite of the rolls 31 and 32 and advanced off thesupply roll and toward the moistening device.

Control of the dispensing device is afforded by an operator control arm50 which comprises a U-shaped frame having a first leg 51 and a secondleg 52 extending forwardly from across bar 53. The legs 51 and 52 arepivoted on the shaft 33 and are joined at their forward ends by atransversely extending handle 54. The first leg 51 has a depending camportion 51a to which is secured a rearwardly extending arm 56. Arm 56has a pin 57 fixed thereon to which is connected one end of a tensionspring 58 and has a pin 59, which supports an enlarged roller, adaptedto engage a plunger 61 of a normally closed switch 62 to open the switchwhen the arm 56 is in the position shown in FIGURE 2. The cam portion51a has a cam surface engaging a roller 64 rotatably mounted on a shaft65 supported by a link 66, which link is pivoted on the frame 6 by astubshaft 67 and biased toward the cam surface by a tension spring 68connected to the link and to the frame 6. Movement of the roller 64under the bias of spring 68 is limited by the shaft 65 engaging one endof a slot formed in the side wall 13. The biased roller 64 and the camsurface 51a afford means for resisting downward movement of the handle54 through the tape cutting position.

The second leg 52 has an upwardly extending cam portion 52a formedthereon adjacent the pivot point of the control arm on shaft 33. Camportion 52a engages a cam follower roller 71 which is rotatably mountedon the driven shaft 34. In the off position of the control arm 50 (FIG.2 and solid line position of FIG. 4) an irregular projection on the camsurface of the cam portion 52a lifts or pivots the shaft 34 and driveroll 32 away from the idler roll 31. Vertical movement of the controlarm 50 is limited by a transverse rod 72. Downward movement of handle 54pivots the legs 51 and 52, and arm 56 initially energizes the drivemotor 46. The irregularity in the cam surface on cam portion 52a ismoved away from the roller 71 allowing the shaft 34 to pivot andprogressively bring roll 32 toward roll 31 and feeding begins. Furtherdownward movement of the handle 54 affords rapid tape advancement byallowing the driven roll 32 to be strongly urged toward the idler roll31. Below this point, downward movement of the handle 54 causes the higharcuate cam surface on cam portion 52a to raise the shaft 34,discontinuing advancement of the tape. Additional downward movement,after the control arm 50 meets the resistance imposed by roller 64,affords the cutting and tape severing step.

A transverse rod 78, which extends between and through the legs 51 and52 of the control arm, engages and actuates the tape severing means.

The tape severing means illustrated, functions in a manner similar tothe tape severing mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,761,503,comprises a U-shaped knife or cutter frame consisting of a pair oftransversely spaced legs 81 and 82, pivoted on the shaft 33 andpositioned outwardly of the legs 51 and 52 and inwardly of the sidewalls 13 and 14, respectively, and a transverse bar 83 connecting saidlegs 81 and 82. A knife bar 84 is loosely supported by the legs 81 and82 at their forward ends. The bar 84 carries a knife blade 86 which,while being generally vertically disposed, is inclined slightly downwardand rearward and has a depending side portion 87 guided by a roller 88which prevents the forward movement of the blade 86 under the pressureof its contact with a lower cooperating shear 89, which is supported bya pivoted frame 91 and biased forwardly by a tension spring 92. Theshear 89 is wider on the near side as viewed in FIGURE 2 and is urgedrearward under the downward movement of knife 86 during the cutting orsevering of the tape. The leg 82 of the cutter frame has an upwardlyprojecting cam portion 82a, which corresponds to the highest cam surfaceon cam portion 52a, and aids in raising the shaft 34 when the knife 86is lowered and holds the shaft raised until the knife is urged to theraised position by the control arm 50 and the biased roller 64. Camportion 51a on leg 51 has a pin 93 projecting therefrom toward the sidewall 13 and disposed below a depending triangular portion 81a formed onleg 81. This pin raises the cutter frame upon return movement of controlarm 50 toward an off position. The apex of triangular portion 81aengages roller 64 which biases and retains the cutter frame in a raisedout-of-theway position. Upward movement of the cutter frame is limitedby short pins 94 extending inwardly from the side walls 13 and 14 anddownward movement is limited by a transverse rod 96 positioned betweenthe side walls 13 and 14 at a position above the shear 89.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 4 and 5 the operation of theillustrated dispensing device will be de scribed. In the solid lineposition of FIGURE 4 the control arm 50 is in the off position with theswitch 62 open and with the shaft 34 in a raised position. The camfollower roller 71 is resting on the small irregular projection of thecam portion 52a. When the operator moves the handle 54 of the controlarm 50 to the dot and dash line position, the roller on pin 59 releasesthe plunger 61 and switch 62 is closed to energize the motor 46 androtate the gear 43, idle wheel 41 and spur gear 38. In this position thefeed rolls 31 and 32 are engaging the tape and feeding begins as theirregular projection is moved away from roller 71. The further downwardmovement of handle 54 to the broken line position of FIGURE 4 moves camsurface on cam portion 52a away from the cam follower roller 71 and spurgear 38 is urged under the torsional force of idle wheel 41 to place thedrive roll 32 into contact with the tape 17 to rapidly feed tape fromthe dispensing device. Further downward movement handle 54 to the brokenline position of FIGURE 4 separates the feed rolls and feeding isstopped. The dashand-line position of FIGURE 4 corrseponds to the solidline position of FIGURE 5. In the next lower position, indicated bybroken lines in FIGURE 5, the control arm 50encounters resistance tofurther movement by the biased roller 64. Roller 64 is positioned in thearcuate cam surface of cam portion 51a. Between the broken line positionin FIGURE 5 and the solid line position in FIGURE 5 the handle 54 may beoscillated without either feeding tape or actuating the severing means,thus defining a neutral position. If the handle is raised slightly abovethe solid line position of FIGURE 5 tape is again fed and the handle 54may be oscillated between this raised position and the broken lineposition in FIGURE 5 to inch tape in desired increments at will. Thisprocess of inching by oscillation of handle 54 may be repeated manytimes until the desired length of tape is dispensed, thus affording theadvantage of inching present with manually operated machines butheretofore not possible in power operated machines. Movement of thehandle from the broken line position of FIGURE 5 to the lowerdash-and-line position, against the resistance imposed by the biasedroller 64, severs the tape 17. In this lower position, the cam portion82a and the high portion of cam portion 52a have raised the roll 32against the torsional force of the idle wheel 41 acting on spur gear 38.Return of the handle to the solid line position of FIGURE 4 will againstop the machine. During the return movement the pin 93 lifts the cutterframe, and the cam portions 82a and 52a cooperate to maintain drive roll32 in the raised position during the return of the handle 54.

In the device shown a tension spring can be connected to the link 39 toplace a biasing force on the link to urge shaft 34 downward. This springwould serve only to bring the feed rolls 31 and 32 together faster. Thetension in this spring should be very light since the feed rolls arebrought into proper feeding relation by the mechanism hereindescribed.

The dispenser described affords a semi-automatic device for dispensingtape and one which permits an operator to exercise control over thedispensing of tape by feel and timing during operation. The operator canfeed tape, stop feed, start feed, etc. until he has the length of ta edesired, at which time he can sever the length dispensed. The devicedoes not require the use of any solenoids to control its operationduring either the advance of the tape or the cutting operation, thuseliminating an element which is subject to burning out or wearing outand which increases machine maintenance and cost.

Having described the present invention with reference to a preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that some modifications could be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A random length tape dispenser having a frame, means on said framefor supporting a roll of tape, feeding means to feed a length of tapefrom said roll along a predetermined path, said feeding means comprisinga first roll mounted for rotation about a fixed axis, a second rollsupported by a driven shaft, said driven shaft being mounted formovement to move said second roll toward and away from said first rollto an operative tape feeding position and a retracted inoperativeposition, respectively, drive means for said driven shaft, meanseffective upon the application of a rotating torque to said driven shaftto urge the same toward said operative tape feeding position, theimprovement comprising an electric motor for energizing said drivemeans, circuit means including a normally closed switch for operatingsaid motor, a control arm pivoted on said frame, means normally biasingsaid control arm to a rest position, means carried by said arm forengaging and opening said switch when said arm is in the rest position,and cam means on said arm engageable with follower means on saidrotating shaft for controlling movement of said drive shaft and saidsecond roll toward said first roll upon movement of said am from saidrest position and for moving said drive shaft away from said first rollupon further pivotal movement of said control arm or return movement ofsaid control arm.

2. A dispenser according to claim '1 including tape severing meansmounted adjacent said path and comprising a blade movable from anout-of-the-way position to a severing position.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said control arm includesmeans for moving said blade upon said further pivotal movement of saidcontrol arm, and said cam means includes means for separating said firstand second rolls upon movement of said blade by said con trol arm.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said driven shaft isjournalled and pivotally mounted at one end and the opposite end issupported for substantially vertical movement and supports a drive gearthereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,732,636 10/1929 Gautier 83-24lX 1,904,861 4/1933 Ettl 83-241 X 2,537,499 1/1951 Williamson 83-241 X3,176,563 4/1965 Sharpe 83-241 WILLIAM S. LAWSON, Primary Examiner,

